Gabe Kapler’s first coaching staff as a Major League manager continues to take form. The first-time skipper has added another coach to his arsenal, hiring the services of Jim Gott to be the team’s next bullpen coach.
Jim Gott spent the last six seasons as the pitching coach of the Los Angeles Angels’ rookie ball team, the Arizona League Angels. He also served as the organization’s minor league pitching coordinator over that time.
Prior to joining the coaching rankings with the Angels, Gott was a 14-year Major League veteran. Gott was drafted in the fourth round of the 1977 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. While he was drafted by the Cardinals, it was the Toronto Blue Jays that Gott saw his first Major League action with. He was the first player ever taken in the Rule 5 Draft prior to the 1982 season. That April, he made his debut. Gott went on to pitch for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates twice and the Los Angeles Dodgers. OVer the course of his 14 year career, Gott held a record of 56-74, posting a 3.87 ERA. He recorded 91 saves in his career, including a Pirates’ single season record with 34 in 1988. That record has since been smashed by Mark Melancon, who recorded 51 in 2015. Gott seemingly got better as he got older, learning how to pitch in the twilight of his career. From 1990-1993, Gott posted four consecutive seasons in which his ERA was no greater than 2.96. He spent all four of those years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gott will likely work in tandem with Rick Kranitz, who hasn’t officially been named the team’s pitching coach yet, but is still considered the front runner for the position.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
